Dicentra eximia `Snowflakes`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Dicentra eximia which bears prolific white flowers beginning in March and continuing to flower into October, although the blooming period will depend somewhat on the age of the plant and its environment. The plant is compact and ideal for use in borders or containers.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a hardyperennial herbaceous plant of the genus Dicentra, a member of theFumariaceae family.

This new variety of Dicentra was discovered as a chance seedling. It wasone of about a dozen seedlings of unknown parentage grown to bulk up thestock of my small nursery in North Yorkshire, England. I was attractedto it because of the light color of its leaves which lead me to suspectthat its blossoms might be white. It has been reproduced by division andfrom root cuttings. Each of the progeny of the first and succeedinggenerations exhibit characteristics identical to the mother plant. Thisparticular variety has white blossoms and is characterized by prolificflowering, excellent vigor, and a flowering habit which extends beyondthe normal flowering period for the species. Dicentra `Snowflakes` isquite distinct from other white flowering Dicentra varieties. It forms alow spreading clump which flowers for many months, often starting asearly as March and continuing until October. The finely cut foliagemakes a pleasing backdrop to clusters of pendulous white flowers. Theplant will thrive in habitats from full sun to partial shade wheremoisture is sufficient.

The flowers are of classic Dicentra type and superficially resemblethose of Dicentra formosa, the native Pacific bleeding heart, except forcolor. The variety also has a resemblance to Dicentra eximia `Alba` butis much more vigorous and robust.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 is a view of Dicentra `Snowflakes` in a container, emphasizingthe finely divided foliage and the profuse blooming habit.

FIG. 2 is a view of the plant growing a border setting.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Dicentra variety. Allcolor determinations and comparisons are based on The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Charts.

Origin: Seedling selection.

Parentage: Unknown.

Size: Mature plants are 35-40 cm in height with a spread of about 40 cm.

Habit: Compact.

Root system: Rhizomatous.

Plant vigor: The shrub shows vigorous and healthy growth throughoutGreat Britain.

Blooming habit: Generally four to eight dangling white blossoms areborne on an arching raceme from a flower stem arising at the base of theplant.

Blooming period: From March continuing into October. Duration ofblooming is dependent on climate and age of the plant. Younger plantswill tend to have longer blooming periods than older ones. Plantsgrowing at cool temperate sites will bloom longer than those in hotterenvironments. Blooming period can sometimes be extended by pinching,although this is not ordinarily necessary.

Hardiness: Winter tested throughout the British Isles. The plant has notbeen fully tested for maximum summer temperature tolerance.

FOLIAGE

Arrangement: Petiole arising from base of plant bearing deeply cut,fern-like bipinnate leaves.

Type: Herbaceous, dying back in winter to root stock.

Texture: Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous, lacking hairs.

Length: About 10 cm.

Width: About 12 cm.

Petiole length: 10-20 cm.

Margins: Dentate.

Apex: Entire.

Base: Cuneate.

FLOWERS

Petal count: Four, two small and two large.

Flower

Shape.--Cordate overall.

Type.--Tubular, two fused petals with small spurs.

Size.--About 2 cm in length.

Carpels: Very small.

Stamens: Very small.

FRUIT AND SEED

The plant does not appear to produce seed except on very rare occasions.To date only a single seed capsule has been observed. It is not knownwhether this seed was viable.

COLOR CHARACTERISTICS

Folaige: Mature leaves, upper surface R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, GreenGroup 138C; lower surface Green Group 139D.

Flowers: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4, White Group 155D.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dicentra eximia, substantiallyas shown and described, characterized by prolific flowering, havingclusters of white blossoms on racemes rising from the plant base, low orno seed production, excellent vigor and hardiness and a flowering seasonlonger than normal for the species with little or no necessity forpinching to maintain blooming.